Early numerical cognition in deaf and hearing children: Closer than expected? / Cognición numérica temprana en niños sordos y oyentes: ¿más cercana de lo esperado?

Abstract Deaf students show a significant delay in their understanding of numeracy and measurement concepts as well as verbal problem solving. There is still no consensus about the origin of this delay but several studies have shown that deaf people show differences in basic numerical skills and executive function (EF), which could underlie the differences in the way they learn and develop their cognitive abilities. Children have the innate ability to estimate and compare numerosities without using language or numerical symbols. The ability to discriminate large numerosities depends on the approximate number system (ANS), a cognitive system believed to be governed by a neural circuit within the intraparietal sulcus. Researchers hypothesize that the ANS underlies the development of arithmetic and there is data supporting the contribution of the ANS for math achievements. Little is known about the approximate number system of deaf children at early ages. Deaf and hearing preschool children were compared in terms of specific cognitive functions shown to be important for success in mathematics. Executive functions and symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude comparison abilities of 7 deaf children and 14 hearing children aged 4-7 years (M = 69.90 months, SD = 11.42), were compared. To do so, neuropsychological assessments for school-aged children were adapted into Portuguese Sign Language. Significant group differences were found in abstract counting as well as in symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude comparisons. These findings suggest that deaf children are less competent in these early numeracy skills than are their hearing peers.

Resumen La cognición de los sordos ha sido objeto de numerosos estudios que buscan comprender cómo los niños y adultos sordos procesan la información. Dichos estudios han demostrado que las personas sordas muestran diferencias en las habilidades numéricas y la función ejecutiva (FE), lo que podría ser la base de las diferencias conocidas en la forma en que las personas sordas aprenden y desarrollan sus habilidades cognitivas. Se han encontrado diferencias entre estudiantes sordos y oyentes en varias áreas de razonamiento numérico, en matemática y en la eficiencia en el procesamiento de representaciones numéricas como la comparación de magnitud. En las tareas de comparación de magnitud, los resultados dependían de si se estaban haciendo comparaciones simbólicas (números arábigos) o no simbólicas (puntos). En un estudio, los niños sordos fueron más lentos que sus compañeros oyentes en las tareas de comparación de magnitud simbólica, pero no en las tareas no simbólicas. Sin embargo, en un estudio más reciente, también se encontraron diferencias en las tareas no simbólicas. Se considera que la capacidad para comparar y discriminar grandes numerosidades depende del sistema numérico aproximado (ANS, Approximate Number System), un sistema cognitivo que se cree está gobernado por un circuito neuronal dentro del surco intraparietal. Los investigadores plantean la hipótesis de que el ANS subyace en cierta medida al desarrollo de la aritmética. Hay algunos datos que apoyan esta hipótesis: por ejemplo, las diferencias individuales en la agudeza del ANS se correlacionan positivamente con las habilidades numéricas y los logros futuros en matemática. Por otro lado, se ha encontrado un deterioro en la agudeza del ANS en niños con discapacidades de aprendizaje matemático. En consecuencia, los investigadores han propuesto que el ANS contribuye a la aparición de conceptos numéricos que los niños requieren para la competencia básica en el conteo y las comparaciones de magnitud simbólica. Otros han sugerido que la asociación entre la agudeza en la comparación de magnitud no simbólica y el rendimiento en matemática está moderada por factores de dominio general como las funciones ejecutivas (FE), en particular el control inhibitorio. En general, no está claro si existen diferencias en la agudeza de comparación de magnitud simbólica y no simbólica en niños sordos más pequeños y en qué medida se relacionan con las FE. El estudio actual examina la agudeza de las representaciones numéricas simbólicas y no simbólicas en niños sordos en edad preescolar e investiga la posible influencia del funcionamiento ejecutivo en estas habilidades matemáticas básicas. Se recolectaron datos de 21 niños portugueses del área de Lisboa, siete de los cuales eran sordos congénitamente y 14 tenían audición normal; los niños tenían entre 4 y 7 años de edad (M = 69.9 meses, DT = 11.42). Se seleccionaron tareas para medir lo siguiente: (a) FE, (b) memoria de trabajo, (c) lenguaje y (d) habilidades numéricas tempranas. Se empleó la tarea Shape School Task para evaluar FE. Se administró la versión portuguesa de la tarea de tapping de bloques de Corsi para evaluar la amplitud visuoespacial. Se desarrolló una tarea de comparación de puntos para examinar la capacidad de los niños de decidir instantáneamente cuál de las dos matrices de puntos es más grande utilizando el software Panamath. Se utilizaron dos tareas para evaluar la capacidad de los niños para producir palabras numéricas en un contexto cardinal y el Numeracy Screener para medir su capacidad para comprender la magnitud numérica simbólica. Los resultados indicaron que los niños sordos mostraron retrasos en las capacidades de comparación de magnitud simbólica y no simbólica. En las FE solo se encontraron diferencias en una tarea que implicaba una combinación de conmutación e inhibición; por lo demás, su función ejecutiva era comparable a la de los niños no sordos.

Acute effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression

Objective: The incidence rate of major depression in adolescents reaches approximately 14%. This disorder is usually recurrent, without remission of symptoms even after pharmacological treatment, and persists throughout adult life. Since the effects of antidepressants take approximately 2 weeks to begin, new pharmacological therapies are under continuous exploration. Recent evidence suggests that psychedelics could produce rapid antidepressant effects. In this study, we evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression. Methods: While living with their families, juvenile marmosets (8 males; 7 females) were observed on alternate days for four weeks during a baseline phase. This was followed by 8 weeks of an induced depressive state protocol, the social isolated context (IC), in which the animals were monitored in the first and last weeks. Subsequently, five males and four females were randomly selected for treatment, first with a single administration of saline vehicle (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage), followed by a single dose of ayahuasca (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage). Both phases lasted 1 week and the animals were monitored daily. A third week of sampling was called the tardive-pharmacological effects phase. In all phases the marmosets were assessed for behavior, fecal cortisol levels, and body weight. Results: After IC, the animals presented typical hypocortisolemia, but cortisol recovered to baseline levels 24 h after an acute dose of ayahuasca; this recovery was not observed in vehicle-treated animals. Additionally, in males, ayahuasca, but not the vehicle, reduced scratching, a stereotypic behavior, and increased feeding. Ayahuasca treatment also improved body weight to baseline levels in both sexes. The ayahuasca-induced behavioral response had long-term effects (14 days). Thus, in this translational juvenile animal model of depression, ayahuasca presented beneficial effects. Conclusions: These results can contribute to the validation of ayahuasca as an antidepressant drug and encourage new studies on psychedelic drugs as a tool for treating mood disorders, including for adolescents with early-onset depression.

Juegos para motivar la enseñanza atletismo en edades tempranas desde la clase de Educación Física / Games to motivate teaching athletics at early ages from Physical Education class

RESUMEN El presente trabajo investigativo tiene su punto de partida en la problemática existente para la implementación del atletismo en edades tempranas, dificultad que coexiste con la masificación y práctica de este deporte en las clases de Educación Física en las escuelas. Para la investigación se tomó una muestra de alumnos 5to. y 6to. grado comprendidos entre los 10 y 12 años de edad, de dos escuelas primarias, centrando su atención al proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje del atletismo como objeto de la investigación. El objetivo consiste en implementar un conjunto de juegos alternativos para motivar la enseñanza del atletismo desde las edades más tempranas, a través de las clases de Educación Física, contribuyendo a la formación de las habilidades básicas para que el alumno pueda ir asimilando las distintas técnicas de manera lúdica. Se utilizaron diferentes métodos de investigación; tanto del nivel teórico como del empírico: análisis-síntesis, inductivo-deductivo, sistémico-estructural, análisis de documentos, observación y la entrevista. Su aplicación permite a los profesores tener una herramienta útil que puede ser utilizada para su preparación, así como las posibilidades de generalización de la misma en otros deportes motivo clase.

ABSTRACT The present research, has its starting point in the existent problem for the development of Athletics in early ages, difficulty that coexists with the spreading and practice of this sport in the lessons of Physical Education in schools. For this research there has been taken a sample of students of 5th and 6th grades, between the 10 and 12 years old, from two primary schools, centering their attention to the Process of teaching-learning of athletics like object of the research. This work has been focused as objective to implement a group of alternative games to motivate the teaching of athletics from the earliest ages, through the lessons of Physical Education, contributing to the formation of the basic skills so that the student can go assimilating the different techniques in a leisure time. Different research methods were used; so much of the theoretical level, as of the empiric one, such as: analysis-synthesis, inductive-deductive, systemic-structural, analysis of documents, observation and the interview. Their application allows the professors to have a useful tool that can be used for its preparation, as well as the possibilities of generalization of the same one in other sports to motivate the lessons.

La alimentación al inicio de la vida y su repercusión en la edad adulta / Feeding at the beginning of life and its impact on adulthood

El concepto central propuesto a usted, lector, indica que muchos patrones de comportamiento, de respuestas metabólicas y de susceptibilidad al entorno (enfermedades), tienen su origen en los primeros momentos de la vida, entiéndase en orden de mayor a menor impacto: la vida fetal, el periodo neonatal, la lactancia y el periodo de introducción al patrón de dieta familiar. La conclusión por adelantado es que, nuestro organismo, tal y como en una analogía con una computadora, se "programa" desde muy temprano en la vida, para luego funcionar con este "sistema operativo", al cual le podremos corregir algunas inconsistencias ("bugs") y agregar alguna información nueva (nuevo "software" o aplicaciones) en edades posteriores, pero que será muy difícil de re-programar por completo. Pasemos ahora a justificar y comprender el concepto, para luego proponer las intervenciones necesarias en aras de mejorar la programación temprana y lograr más adultos sanos con el consecuente mejoramiento social que corresponda a un modelo de país con recursos considerables y con una economía boyante

The central concept proposed to you, reader, indicates that many patterns of behavior, of metabolic responses and of susceptibility to the environment (diseases), have their origin in the first moments of life, read in order from most to least impact: life fetal, the neonatal period, breastfeeding and the period of introduction to the family diet pattern. The conclusion in advance is that, our organism, as in an analogy with a computer, is "programmed" from very early in life, to then work with this "operating system", to which we can correct some inconsistencies (" bugs ") and add some new information (new" software "or applications) at later ages, but it will be very difficult to re-program completely. Let's now justify and understand the concept, then propose the necessary interventions in order to improve early programming and achieve more healthy adults with the consequent social improvement that corresponds to a country model with considerable resources and a buoyant economy

Mother and child characteristics at birth and early age leukemia: a case-cohort population-based study / Características mãe-filho ao nascer e leucemias na primeira infância: um estudo de caso-coorte de base populacional no Brasil

Abstract Objective: The population-based cancer registries (PBCR) and the Information System on Live Births in Brazil (Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos [SINASC]) have information that enables the test for risk factors associated with leukemia at an early age. The aim of this study was to identify maternal and birth characteristics associated with early-age acute leukemia (EAL) in Brazil. Methods: A case-cohort study was performed using secondary dataset information of PBCR and SINASC. The risk association variables were grouped into (i) characteristics of the child at birth and (ii) characteristics of maternal exposure during pregnancy. The case-control ratio was 1:4. Linkage was performed using R software; odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by logistic regression models. Results: EAL was associated with maternal occupational exposure to chemicals (agricultural, chemical, and petrochemical industry; adjOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.16-4.10) and with birth defects (adjOR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.19-11.00). Conclusions: The results of this study, with the identification of EAL risk factors in population-based case-cohort study, strengthen the knowledge and improve databases, contributing to investigations on risk factors associated with childhood leukemia worldwide.

Resumo Objetivos: Os registros de câncer de base populacional (RCBP) e o Sistema Nacional de Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) possuem informações que possibilitam testar hipóteses sobre fatores de riscos associados às leucemias. O objetivo principal deste projeto é identificar quais as características ao nascimento das crianças que estariam associadas ao risco de desenvolver Leucemia Aguda (LA) na primeira infância. Métodos: Foram utilizadas informações de 12 RCBP e do Sistema de Informação de Nascidos Vivos das mesmas localidades. Foram elegíveis 272 casos e 1.088 controles no período de 1996 a 2010. As associações de riscos de LA foram agrupadas em, (i) características da criança ao nascer, e (ii) características de exposição materna durante a gestação da criança. A relação de casos e controles foi de 1:4. As análises para padronização, estruturação do banco de dados e análises estatísticas foram realizadas através dos aplicativos Excel, R-Studio e SPSS 21. Resultados: Houve associação entre anomalias congênitas (RC 3,62, IC95% 1,19-11,00) e exposição ocupacional materna a produtos químicos (OR 2,18, p 0,002) com o risco do desenvolvimento de LA. Conclusão: A utilização de banco de dados secundários populacionais para a identificação de fatores de risco para LA fortaleceu o intercâmbio de conhecimentos e melhoria das bases de dados, e contribuiu para investigações sobre as associações de riscos nas leucemias agudas em contexto mundial.

Effect of lutein intervention on visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To study the effect of lutein intervention on visual function of patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:Totally 200 early AMD patients were divided into lutein intervention group (20mg/d) and placebo group by a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trail.Questionnaire investigation,serum lutein concentration and visual function were conducted at baseline,12,24,36 and 48wk respectively.RESULTS:The serum lutein concentration in lutein intervention group was higher than the baseline (P＜0.05) and those of placebo group at 12,24,36 and 48wk after intervention (P＜ 0.05).The spatial frequencies of contrast sensitivity (CS) at low (3 cycles/degree) and medium (6 cycles/degree) in lutein intervention group,macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were higher than those of placebo group (P＜ 0.05).Contrasted to baseline,the low and medium spatial frequencies of CS in lutein intervention group were higher (P＜ 0.05),while,there were no statistical significance in MPOD and BCVA between before and after treatment (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Lutein intervention can improve the visual function of patients with early AMD.

Analysis of the factors affecting the occurrence of myopia in children with myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To analyze the electronic product use time, writing time, playing piano time and outdoor activity time and the distribution of myopia in 586 cases of school age children in our hospital. ·METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 586 cases of children aged 6 to 12 years old in the outpatient department was established. Personalized files were used to record the uncorrected visual acuity, optometry, slit lamp, fundus mirror and strabismus. The cumulative use time of electronic products ( including computer, mobile phone, iPad) , writing time, whether to play the piano and outdoor activities time with the eye situation were recorded. Statistical analysis of the age group of myopia, the cumulative use of electronic age in different age groups, writing time, whether playing piano and outdoor activities and the distribution of myopia occurred. · RESULTS: ( 1 ) With the increasing of age, the distribution of uncorrected eyesight was in children mostly mild myopia, and the proportion of mild myopia was significantly higher than that of moderate and high myopia. ( 2 ) Electronic products use time distribution:the proportion of playing electronic products ( including mobilephone, computers, iPad) accounted for 76. 8%, of which 9 years old, 10 years old the cumulative use of electronic products with a long time was higher than other age groups. ( 3 ) Distribution of writing time: the proportion of write homework ≤1h was significantly lower than the proportion of writing homework > 1h (37. 2% vs 62. 8%), of which 9 and 10 years old children cumulative write time was higher than other age group. ( 4 ) Distribution of playing the piano: the proportion of playing piano time less than 1h was significantly higher than the proportion of playing piano time more than 1h ( 89. 1% vs 10. 9%). ( 5 ) Distribution of outdoor activities: the proportion of outdoor activities ≤1h in children at school age was significantly higher than that of outdoor activities > 1h (91. 8% vs 8. 9%). ·CONCLUSION: With the age exposure to electronic products becoming younger, heavy learning tasks and less outdoor activities, myopia occurred in advance of age. So health examination and eye guidance, reducing the amount of work appropriately, increasing outdoor activities will slow the development of early childhood myopia.

Aggressive Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma –A Rare Case Report

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) accounts for the most controversial fibro-osseous lesion occupying a subset within the spectrum of ossifying fibroma. It is distinguished from the adult group of ossifying fibromas on the basis of the age of the patient, most common site of involvement, clinical behaviour and microscopic features. JOF appears at an early age with 79% of the patients being diagnosed before the age of 15. JOF is considered by many to be a unique lesion because of its reported tendency to occur in children and its more complex histological features.

Surgical treatment for developmental dislocation of the hip at early age / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective] To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH) in children aged from 12 to 18 months. [Methods]A total of 59 patients (72 hips with developmental dislocation) were treated surgically from 2004 to 2006.In them, 53 hips received open reduction and Salter innominate osteotomy, 19 hips received open reduction and Pemberton transiliac osteotomy.[Results]All patients had been followed up for 50 months in average after operation. According to the modified McKay clinical criteria,Severin radiographic classification and Salter AVN diagnostic criteria,the excellent to good rate for Severin classification and modified McKay criteria were 94.4%、93% respectively.Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occured in 2 hips(2.8%).[Conclusion]Surgical treatment without preoperative traction is feasible for the management of DDH in children aged from 12 to 18 months.